I am Esther Shamsunder and I live in Bangalore city (now Bengaluru), the capital of Karnataka.
I have been teaching Kannada Conversational skills to professionals and students, since 2001.
In 2007,what started as a hobby to learn to start a blog, to learn to podcast(mp3's), and to learn making online videos(mp4's) and posting them on my youtube channel, soon developed http://learnkannadafluency.blogspot.in/ into the No.1 online tutorial resource for Spoken Kannada. It also gave my Kannada students a chance to get online to practice Kannada other than just hook up to social media sites. At that time, ours was the only free spoken kannada blog providing audio lessons in downloadable MP3 format,which people found useful. Some professionals told me that they were downloading the mp3 lessons and listening to them while driving to and from work. And some emailed me to ask if they could pay for the lessons since they were so helpful.
I am glad to be providing you this website, Kannada Fluenzy @ https://learnkannadafluency.com/ that teaches you Kannada conversational skills.
Kannada Fluenzy blog has been used as an example for teaching Languages by leading ICT educators in UK in 2008.
I also have a couple of other blogs of which Great Expectations is hugely popular which primarily deals with using technology in education,both in the classroom and online.
I am also featured in the IED (International Edubloggers Directory) November 8,2008.
I am listed as one of 27 Inspiring Women Edubloggers (Slide 31 of 43) published on Slideshare on October 8, 2008.
An Update: In November 2012, we had our first ever Kannada Fluenzy Livecast on Kannada Rajyotsava Day, November 1st.
We also successfully launched the Kannada Fluenzy Online Coaching Program and the Spoken Kannada E-Course.
Shortly, we will be launching the first ever Spoken Kannada Membership site. Details will be provided soon.
An UPDATE(dated 31 October, 2013): On the eve of this Rajyotsava Day, ie, 1st November, it is my pleasure to say that we have successfully coached adult learners of all age groups, to learn spoken Kannada, and the feedback has been awesome. Through our E-Courses and Skype Coaching Programs.
New Courses were created addressing every need.
Learn Kannada in 10 Days---a fast track option [available both as an e-course with downloadable audio podcasts(mp3's) and a 101 Skype Coaching Program]
Learn Kannada in 30 Days---a more elaborate program [available both as an e-course with downloadable audio podcasts(mp3's) and a 101 Skype Coaching Program]
Several doctors from outside Karnataka working in Bengaluru hospitals, had over the years sought an exclusive course for spoken kannada. Spoken Kannada for Doctors was created 2 months ago, and already we had 3 doctors taking up the E-course and Skype sessions. 2 of them had returned from the US, and are finding what they learnt very,very useful with their patients. Having been a former dietitian myself, helped understand their need.
Spoken Kannada for the NRI child and Kannada fluency Online Tutorials for the 2 nd and 3 rd language Kannada student whose mothertongue is not Kannada, are also new courses.
Update (December 2015) :
The Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority appreciated our efforts in reaching out to non-Kannadigas to help them speak Kannada. And invited us to present our courses at Kannada Habba.
Presenting our Spoken Kannada Online Courses before the Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority,Government of Karnataka on December 27,2015.
Update (February 2016) :
Kannada for Engineering Students
Update(March 2017):
Several IT professionals,doctors,medical students,businessmen,CEOs,startup founders and NRI children have benefited from our Skype coaching and E-courses.
We have changed the look of our website keeping up with the present scenarios. Hope you like it! And added to the ever growing list of Testimonials! https://learnkannadafluency.com/
More about me: Since 2004
Have published articles online : http://hubpages.com/@purpleperl
Have a couple of Amazon Kindle books : http://www.amazon.in/Esther-Shamsunder/e/B00D75GM9S
Have youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/e40sam/
Am also a podcaster : https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/e40sam
Set up http://www.learnhindifluency.com/
Update (June 2018) :
Several people have asked us how to set up a profitable online tutoring business and if you would like to apply, write to esther@learnkannadafluency.com and tell us why you should be considered.
The new Coaching Program, "How to Launch a Successful Online Teaching Business" will be available shortly.
Thanks Anu,pleasure is mine too,getting acquainted with a like minded Kannadiga.
Was very happy and proud to know about you. When I was thinking of doing a similar thing(help people learn Kannada) and encountered this site during my search, I was overwhelmed and found it really encouraging. I wish I could be part of such a institution.
You are very welcome,Mr.Pankajam. Happy learning! It is for people like you that I have started this blog, and it is encouraging for me to get your feedback. Thank you!
And all kinds of learning activity keeps one young.You are an inspiration to the younger learners.
Dear Esther,at 72′ I find your blog encouraging me to learn Kannada which I abanded for lack of proper guidance many times. I am a resident of Bangalore for six years and always wanted to learn Kannada Thank you
Narayanan,thank you.
Hi Ms Esther Shamsunder,
Your WordPress presentational blog is very user friendly and the friendly tone is highly welcoming. Thank you for the service. I haven’t downloaded the podcast and shall comment on the same after listening to it.
Your plan to start a site to cheach conversation would be a nic e help, I am sure.